The British government is expected shortly to publish
legislation dealing with republicans “on the run” from
outstanding conflict-related prosecutions.

In a statement, he said the British government would not
introduce an amnesty, and said returned republicans would still
“be subject to the appropriate judicial processes”.

He said that the proposals “will be painful for many people”.

He stressed: “I fully understand this. But the government
believes that it is a necessary part of the process of closing
the door on violence forever.”

Hain told Opposition MPs that there would be “a judicial
element” to the process allowing “individuals connected with
paramilitary crimes committed before the Belfast Agreement” to
return.

He told Liberal Democrat Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik: “As part
of that judicial process concerning on-the-runs, if they are
found guilty and are then granted a licence, if those conditions
of the licence are broken they will be arrested again.”

Sinn Féin has pressed for special legislation enabling IRA
Volunteers who fled the North during the Troubles to return
without being imprisoned.

The Minister said the commitment to deal with the issue of
on-the-runs was made in the British and Irish Government Joint
Declaration in May 2003.

Mr Hain said that when the legislation for on-the-runs was
ready, MPs could scrutinise it and make amendments if necessary.

But he stressed: “This is not an amnesty. An amnesty would mean
that, as it were, in advance people who committed offences were
released ever from the obligation of being punished for those
offences.” Those cleared to return would “be subject to the
process of the law”.

He also referred to ‘cold cases’ now being reviewed by the PSNI
chief constable, Hugh Orde.

“Those cold cases will also involve, if the evidence is there,
charges,” he said.

“And if they come under the on-the-runs legislation, then they
will be subject to the appropriate judicial processes. There is
no question of just letting people off the hook.”

Ian Paisley’s DUP had opposed an amnesty as part of its recent
tranche of demands.

Nationalist SDLP negotiator Sean Farren warned the British
government not to play the concessions game with the DUP.

The North Antrim Assembly member said: “It is clear.. that the
more the DUP squeezes out of the British Government, the more
they will come back for and the more they will try to take us
all away from the Good Friday Agreement.”